Self-orienting instrument handle



Nov. 20, 1962 E. J. KOE

SELF-ORIENTING INSTRUMENT HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17. 1960 a m a INVENTOR fM/L J K05 54 M A- 9mm ATTORNEY llllllmlll Nov. 20, 1962 E. J. KOE 3,064,352

SELF-ORIENTING INSTRUMENT HANDLE Filed March 17, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 WW, f 47 INVENTOR EM/L J. K05

WA/1m ATTORNEY ilnited rates 3,964,352 SELF-UREENTING INSTRUMENT HANDLE Emil 5. K09, 617 S. Lincoln Ave., Park Ridge, Ill.

Filed Mar. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 15,632 Claims. ((11. 30-236) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in handles for various types of instruments, such as cutlery, hand tools, surgical and dental instruments, and others; and more particularly, the invention is concerned with improvements in such handles rendering the instrument and handle self-orienting in a predetermined manner.

' In general, the invention contemplates the provision of a handle which will orient the associated instrument to a predetermined position on a table or bench or other supporting surface. More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of such a handle with an offcenter weight distribution so that the instrument will be oriented in predetermined manner with respect to the vertical and horizontal center of gravity thereof. This may be accomplished by a particular construction of the handle resulting in the desired off-center Weight distribution; or it may be accomplished by the addition of weight devices to the handle in order to accomplish the desired orientation.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an instrument wherein the weight of the handle is distributed so that the instrument will automatically assume a stable and predetermined position on a supporting surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handle of a configuration such that it will facilitate lifting of the instrument from a supporting surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handle which is itself constructed to present an uneven or offset Weight distribution such that the associated instrument will assume an oriented position out of contact with the supporting surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a handle wherein the added weight devices may be shifted relative to the handle in order to vary the position of orientation in accordance with a particular user or a particular instrument.

The invention still further aims to provide a handle for various types of instruments and one which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which is extremely simple in its ultimate construction.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a knife and handle combination, with the handle shown partially in section to illustrate one type of added weight for self-orientation;

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a substantially cylindrical handle with a weight similar to that shown in FIG. 1; 1

FIG. 5 is a view partly in section showing a handle similar to that of FIG. 1 but modified in having a recess in which a fixed added weight is positioned;

FIG. 6 is a slightly enlarged section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to FIG. 6 but showing variations in the peripheral configuration of the handle;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation showing another form of knife and handle combination, with the handle itself constructed to effect the desired self-orientation;

3,664,352 Patented Nov. 20, 1952 ire FIG. 11 is a slightly enlarged view taken substantially along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the modified external periphery of the handle;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary modification showing a handle and instrument combination wherein the handle is itself shaped to provide the desired orientation;

FIG. 14 is a slightly enlarged view taken substantially along the line 14-l4 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG' 14 but showing a modified external periphery of the handle;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of handle with an adjustable added Weight associated therewith;

H6. 17 is an end elevation of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1818 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view showing a modified form of handle wherein the added weight is externally associated with the handle;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2tl20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view showing a further modified form of handle which is recessed to receive a fixed added weight therein;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 at this time, there is illustrated a knife 30 having a knife edge 31 and secured in suitable manner to a handle 32. The handle 32 is provided with oppositely facing conical sections 33, 34 with the section 33 somewhat elongated with respect to the section 34 so that the point of minimum diameter is closer to the blade than to the outer end of the handle. The conical section 33 is provided with a central recess 35 which is closed by a cap member 36. A screw 37 extends through the cap member 36 and has the inner end thereof threadedly engaged with a corresponding threaded recess in the handle. A weight member 38 of any suitable material is positioned within the recess 35 and is secured in suitable manner, as by adhesive cement or the like, to the adjacent inner face of the cap member 36. Though the weight member 38 may be of any suitable shape, it is illustrated as being semi-cylindrical and following to some extent the longitudinal inclination of the recess 35.

The weight member is positioned within the recess 35 in any desired position so as t orient the knife blade 30 to a predetermined position with respect to a supporting surface, such as a table top. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the weight member is positioned below the center axis of the handle so that the handle and blade assembly, when placed at random on a supporting surface, will roll or oscillate to a position in which the knife edge 31 faces downwardly toward the supporting surface, thus to guard against injury by an exposed sharp edge. Likewise, the weight member is positioned in the handle so that it will position the handle on the supporting surface with the knife edge 31 elevated above the table top or other supporting surface. diameters of the tw conical sections 33, 34 are illustrated as being substantially the same, the maximum diameters of the section 34 may be reduced where the blade has a very narrow tip or this diameter may be enlarged where the blade has a very broad tip. In any event, the point of merger between the minimum diam-V eters of the conical sections 33, 34 define an area which is spaced above the supporting surface so as to afford convenient access for the fingers of a person in picking up the instrument from the supporting surface.

While the maximum In FIG. 4, a cylindrical handle 32:: is employed and this handle is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that it includes a cylindrical recess 35a to house the similarly shaped weight-member 38a which is attached to the cap member 36a and the latter is secured in turn by the screw 37a.

In FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, a handle member 32b is similar to the handle member 32a. includes an internal recess 35b and an arcuately shaped weight member 38b is positioned therein. However, the cap member 40 is specifically different in that it includes a cylindrical stem portion 41 having an apertured end 42 through which a screw member 43 extends for threaded engagement within the body of the handle member 32b. A coil spring 44 encircles the screw between the head thereof and the apertured end 42 of the cylindrical stem and by reaction between the head and the end 42 serves to maintain the cap member 40 in fixed assembled position. To alter the circumferential positioning of the weight member 38b, the cap member 40 may be pulled outwardly against the action of the spring 44 and rotated in either direction so as to position the weight member 38b in any desired position around the axis of the screw 43. Upon release of the pulling effort on the cap, the spring will seat the cap to the handle.

In FIGS. through 9 and 19 through 22, there are shown modified forms of handles having a weight device fixedly association therewith, that is, the weight is associated with the handle in a predetermined fixed position and without provision for adjustment. Thus, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle 320 is not greatly unlike the handle 32 of FIG. 1 except that the cross section of both tapered portions 330 and 340 are somewhat oval, as viewed in FIG. 6. The section 330 is provided with a tapered recess into which is tightly fitted and secured a weight member 38c. In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the cross section of the tapered portion 330 is altered as in the teardrop cross section 33d of FIG. 7; the circular cross section 33a of FIG. 8, and the circular section 33 in FIG. .9 having a bottom flat portion 45.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, the handle 32h is substantially cylindrical in cross section and includes a cylindrical recess within which is fitted a plug-like cylindrical weight 38h.

In FIGS. 19 and 20, the handle 47 is illustrated as being substantially elliptical along the top thereof and the weight'member 48 complements this portion of the handle and completes the external periphery of the handle.

In FIGS. through there are shown forms of handles which are specifically constructed in themselves to distribute the weight in off-center relationship so as to position a knife blade or other instrument above the supporting surface and oriented in a predetermined angle or inclination with respect to the supporting surface.

ln FIG. 10, a handle is generally designated by the numeral 50 and carries a knife blade 51 or the like. The handle includes end bearing members 52, 53 connected to one another by a vertical rib portion 54 and a horizontal portion 55 having the curved bottom surface 56 thereof adapted to be spaced above the supporting surface. With this construction, movement of the handle and knife assembly on a supporting surface is entirely by means of the lower edge of the bearing members 52, 53 which are illustrated in FIG. 11 as being of teardrop shape and rounded on the lower surfaces thereof. In FIG. 12, the construction is generally similar but the lower edge of the bearing members is flattened as at 57. With this construction, it will be seen that the lower horizontal portions 55 or 55a are disposed relative to the bearing members so as to concentrate the weight of the handle toward the bottom thereof and this results in the knife and handle assembly assuming the illus- This handle member 32b 4 trated positions with the knife elevated above the sup porting surface. I I

In FIG. 13, the handle 60 is in the form of a cylindrical member having end bearing members 62, 63, the latter carrying a knife blade 61 or other instrument. These bearing members may be of teardrop shape as shown in FIG. 14 or they may be cylindrical as at 63a in FIG. 15. In both instances, the cylindrical portion 60 or 60a is disposed relative to the bearing members so as to concentrate the weight of the handle toward the bottom surfaces thereof, as described in connection with the disclosures in FIGS. 10, l1 and 13. In these forms of the invention, the handle is, itself, constructed so that the weight is offset downwardly to properly position the knife and this same result could be accomplished by removing material from an upper portion of a solid handle of the type shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5 through 9.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides several forms of handle devices operating with an attached instrument of one type or another to orient the instrument on a supporting surface in a desired predetermined position. Thus, with a knife blade or other instrument positioned asymmetrically with respect to the handle, the weight distribution in the handle is such as to orient the instrument to a predetermined position. With a knife blade, such position would conveniently be with the sharp edge 31, as in FIG. 1, disposed downwardly and elevated above the top of the supporting surface. Such positioning of a knife blade disposes the cutting edge in a position so as to minimize the danger of injury not only to the user but also to the cutting edge itself since it is maintained out out of contact with the supporting surface. This positioning of an instrument may be accomplished by the weight distribution in the handle according to the various forms shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 and 16 through 22, or it may be accomplished by the shape of the handle as suggested in the forms shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The oscillating of the weighted or shaped handle is preferably in straight line direction rather-than with the instrument oscillating in an arcuate pattern. In certain forms of the invention, as in FIGS. 1, 4, and 16, the weighted member may be selectively positioned in the handle recess so as to adapt the handle to its function of orienting an asymmetrically positioned instrument in a desired attitude with respect to the supporting surface. Also, certain forms of handles with reduced intermediate portions serve to facilitate grasping of the handle and lifting of the assembly as in the forms shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 10 and 13 where the handle has spaced points of bearing on the supporting surface. Although most of the handle configurations show curved support engaging surfaces, some of these surfaces may be flattened to some extent as in FIGS. 9 and 12 to effect a more abrupt positioning of the handle and its associated instrument.

While certain forms of the invention have been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An elongated handle for an instrument such as a knife blade adapted to be oriented with its operative means in a predetermined position on the surface on which it is supported and comprising a recessed hand grip body portion of curvilinear cross section, the recess in the hand grip body portion extending through an end wall of the hand grip body portion, weight means of smaller dimension than said recess adapted to be mounted in the elongated body portion in an asymmetric position relative to the axis of said body, and a cap member associated with said weight means, said cap member being rotatably adjustable with respect to the body portion to permit adjustment of position of the weight means within the handle.

2. A handle for an instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand-grip body portion is recessed to receive the weight means and, said recess at the end of the body portion spaced from the operative means being closed by a cap member carrying the weight means and including a central tubular portion housing spring means to normally urge the cap member to seated position closing the recess.

'3. A handle for an attached instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand-grip body portion is recessed to receive the weight means and wherein there is provided a cap, closing and spring means to urge the cap to a covering position relative to said recess.

4. A handle for an attached instrument extending axially therefrom to be oriented with its operative means in a pre-determined position above a supporting surface and comprising an elongated hand-grip body portion having curvilinear bearing surface means in the vicinity of both ends thereof for supporting the handle in stable position on a supporting surface with the instrument disposed above the supporting surface, said hand-grip body portion intermediate the curvilinear end portions consisting of opposed frusto-conical portions with their bases in spaced position relative to each other to provide spaced bearing surfaces and an intermediate reduced body portion in cross-section, one of said ends being hollow, and weight means mounted in the hollow end of said hand-grip body portion in an asymmetric position relative to the axis of said body to cause the handle to be oriented to a position relative to the supporting surface with the operative means of the instrument in the said pre-determined position above the supporting surface.

5. An elongated handle for an instrument such as a knife to accomplish orientation of the blade element with its operative means in a pre-deterrnined position relative to the surface on which the handle is supported comprising a recessed hand-grip body portion of curvilinear cross-section, weight means of smaller dimension than said recess mounted in the recess of said elongated body portion in an asymmetric position relative to the axis of said body portion, means to mount the weight in various asymmetric positions within said recess to vary the position of orientation of the instrument element extending from said handle relative to and above the complementary surface and the support provided thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,570 Guthard June 5, 1923 2,036,640 Lipic Apr. 7, 1936 2,045,192 Kuhar June 23, 1936 2,112,649 Dreyfuss Mar. 29, 1938 2,130,661 Zaebst Sept. 20, 1938 2,189,689 Thompson Feb. 6, 1940 2,853,780 Bull Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 90,580 Sweden Oct. 19, 1937 

